Ballistic resistant face mask

ABSTRACT

A neck extension includes at least one layer of ballistic material that is shaped to have a nose portion and a throat portion located below the nose portion, which generally correspond to a nose area and mouth area of a face mask. A left neck portion and a right neck portion each extend from the nose portion and throat portion and are configured to wrap around a user&#39;s neck when worn. An inner surface of the neck extension attaches to the face mask. The throat portion may be shaped to extend below the mask to provide protection to the user&#39;s throat.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to ballistic resistant face masks and morespecifically to ballistic resistant face masks with neck protection.

BACKGROUND

Ballistic resistant garments are available to protect various parts ofthe body from various ballistic threats, such as bullets or shrapnel.Some ballistic resistant garments are made of “soft armor,” which isgenerally flexible. For example, ballistic resistant vests that are wornto protect a user's torso are usually made of soft body armor. Othergarments are made of “hard armor,” which are generally stiff andinflexible. For example, helmets worn to protect a user's head aregenerally made of hard armor. However, some garments may employ acombination of soft and hard armor to increase protection for the user.

Ballistic resistant garments are often used in high threat situations,such as firefights or riots, by military or police personnel. In thesesituations, a user of these ballistic resistant garments must beadequately covered but freely mobile and be able to visualize possiblethreats. Thus, any ballistic resistant garment worn by the user mustprovide maximum body coverage while not restricting the user's mobility.If the ballistic resistant garment is restrictive or not comfortable, auser may not wear this protective equipment.

Ballistic resistant vests and ballistic resistant helmets may notprovide adequate coverage for the neck and throat, leaving those bodyparts exposed to a ballistic threat. Some vests provide high collarsaround the neck, but these tend to restrict head movement or interferewith the user's field of vision. Some helmets may provide an extensionon the rear of the helmet made of hard or soft armor. However, thesetypes of extensions may interfere with head movement or may not providefull protection for the neck and throat (e.g., only protect the back ofthe neck).

Further, ballistic resistant face masks alone may not provide adequateprotection of the face in certain situations because the materialnecessary to increase the ballistic protection may cause the mask tobecome thick and heavy. The thicker and heaver the face mask, the lesslikely the user is to wear the face mask because it becomes moreuncomfortable. Also, a thicker mask may tend to obstruct the user'svision. Further still, a face mask may not be made of ballistic materialand therefore not provide any protection, or minimal protection, fromballistic threats.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a ballistic resistant face mask thatprovides improved protection for the face, neck and throat withoutrestricting the user's mobility or obstructing the user's line if sight.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a ballistic resistantgarment that includes a face mask shaped to cover at least a portion ofa user's face and a neck extension that attaches to the face mask. Theface mask includes an inner surface and an outer surface, a nose area, amouth area located below the nose area, and goggles located above thenose area. The neck extension includes at least one layer of ballisticmaterial that includes a nose portion shaped to generally correspond tothe nose area of the face mask and a throat portion located below thenose portion that is shaped to generally correspond to the mouth area ofthe face mask and extend below the face mask. The ballistic materialalso includes a left neck portion and a right neck portion eachextending from the nose portion and throat portion and shaped to wraparound the user's neck when worn. The neck extension also has an innersurface and an outer surface. At least a portion of the inner surface ofthe neck extension attaches to the face mask outer surface.

In embodiments, the ballistic material may be aramid, para-aramid,polypropylene, polyethylene, poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole), orpolyester.

In other embodiments, the ballistic resistant garment also includes afirst half of a fastener disposed on the face mask outer surface and asecond half of a fastener disposed on the inner surface of the neckextension and located to align with the first half of the fastener onthe face mask. The first half of the fastener and the second half of thefastener enable the neck extension to attach to the face mask outersurface. In other embodiments, the first half of the fastener and thesecond half of the fastener may be a snap, a hook and loop fastener, abutton, or tape.

In embodiments, the ballistic resistant garment also includes a firsthalf of a removable connector located adjacent to a distal end of theleft neck portion of the neck extension and a second half of a removableconnector located adjacent to a distal end of the right neck portion ofthe neck extension. The first half and the second half of the removableconnector are configured to enable the left neck portion and right neckportion to be held around the user's neck. In other embodiments, thefirst half of the removable connector and the second half of theremovable connector may be a snap, a hook and loop fastener, a button ora two piece buckle.

In embodiments, the inner surface and outer surface of the neckextension are a cover material that is disposed around the ballisticmaterial. In other embodiments, the cover may be ballistic material,non-ballistic material, fabric and resin.

In embodiments, the face mask is made of a ballistic resistant material.In other embodiments, the face mask is shaped to be worn with a helmet.In still other embodiments, the face mask is configured to integrallyfit with a specific helmet.

In embodiments, the ballistic material may be more than one layer ofballistic material. In other embodiments, the ballistic material may bearamid, para-aramid, polypropylene, polyethylene, poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole), polyester or any combination thereof.

In embodiments, at least a portion of the ballistic material is treatedwith a resin. In other embodiments, at least one layer of the ballisticmaterial is treated with a resin. In other embodiments, the ballisticgarment also includes a layer of felt core material treated with aresin.

In embodiments, the ballistic garment also includes a hard armor elementdisposed on the ballistic resistant neck extension. In otherembodiments, the hard armor element may be ceramic, titanium, boroncarbide, silicon carbide, alumina, zirconia, magnesia, cubic boronnitride, silicon nitride, steel, and aluminum.

In general, in another aspect, the invention features a ballisticresistant garment including a face mask and a neck extension attached tothe face mask. The face mask is shaped to cover at least a portion of auser's face. The face mask includes an inner surface adjacent a user'sface when worn by the user and an outer surface, a nose area generallylocated adjacent the user's nose when worn by the user, a mouth arealocated below the nose area and generally located adjacent the user'smouth when worn by the user, goggles located above the nose area andgenerally located adjacent the user's eyes when worn by the user, andthe first half of several fasteners attached to the outer surface of theface mask.

The neck extension includes at least one layer of ballistic materialhaving a nose portion shaped to generally correspond to the nose area ofthe face mask and a throat portion located below the nose portion andshaped to generally correspond to the mouth area of the face mask andextend below the face mask. The neck extension also includes a left neckportion and a right neck portion each extending from the nose portionand throat portion. An outer cover is wrapped around the ballisticmaterial and includes a first half of a removable connector adjacent adistal end of the left neck portion and a second half of a removableconnector adjacent a distal end of the right neck portion. The firsthalf and the second half of the removable connector are configured toenable the left neck portion and right neck portion to be held aroundthe user's neck. The neck extension also includes an inner surface andan outer surface. A second half of several fastener are located on theinner surface and arranged to align with the first half of the severalfastener on the face mask to attach the neck extension to the face maskouter surface.

In embodiments, the first half of the fasteners and the second half ofthe fasteners may be snaps, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, or tape.

In embodiments, the ballistic material may be aramid, para-aramid,polypropylene, polyethylene, poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole), orpolyester. In other embodiments, at least one layer of the ballisticmaterial is treated with a resin.

In embodiments, the face mask is made of a ballistic resistant material.

In general, in another aspect, the invention features a ballisticresistant garment that includes a face mask and a ballistic neckextension attached to the face mask. The face mask is shaped to cover atleast a portion of a user's face and has an inner surface, an outersurface, a nose area, a mouth area located below the nose area, andgoggles located above the nose area. The ballistic neck extensionincludes at least one layer of ballistic material that has a noseportion shaped to generally correspond to the nose area of the face maskand a throat portion located below the nose portion shaped to generallycorrespond to the mouth area of the face mask, a left neck portion and aright neck portion each extending from the nose portion and throatportion and configured to wrap around the user's neck when worn. Theneck extender also has an inner surface and an outer surface. At least aportion of the inner surface of the ballistic neck extension attaches tothe face mask outer surface.

In general, in another aspect, the invention features a ballisticresistant neck extension for a face mask. The ballistic resistant neckextension has at least one layer of ballistic material that has a noseportion shaped to generally correspond to a nose area of the face maskand a throat portion located below the nose portion shaped to generallycorrespond to a mouth area of the face mask, a left neck portion and aright neck portion each extending from the nose portion and throatportion and configured to wrap around a user's neck when worn. The neckextension also includes an inner surface and an outer surface. At leasta portion of the inner surface of the ballistic resistant neck extensionattaches to the face mask.

In embodiments, the inner surface and the outer surface of the ballisticneck extension are a cover material disposed around the ballisticmaterial.

In embodiments, the ballistic material may be aramid, para-aramid,polypropylene, polyethylene, poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole),polyester or any combination thereof.

In embodiments, the ballistic resistant neck extension also includes asecond half of a fastener disposed on the inner surface of the ballisticneck extension and located to align with a first half of a fastener onthe face mask. The first half of the fastener and the second half of thefastener enable the ballistic neck extension to attach to an outersurface of the face mask. In other embodiments, the first half of thefastener and the second half of the fastener may be a snap, a hook andloop fastener, a button, and tape.

In embodiments, the throat portion is shaped to extend below the moutharea of the face mask.

In embodiments, at least a portion of the ballistic material is treatedwith a resin. In other embodiments, the resin may be acrylic, phenolic,vinyl ester, epoxy, or any other suitable thermoplastic or thermosetpolymer.

In general, in another aspect, the invention features a ballisticresistant neck extension for a face mask including at least one layer ofballistic material having a nose portion shaped to generally correspondto a nose area of the face mask and a throat portion located below thenose portion shaped to generally correspond to a mouth area of the facemask and extend below the mouth area of the face mask. The neckextension has an inner surface, at least a portion of which is attachedto the face mask.

In general, in another aspect, the invention features a ballisticresistant garment including a face mask and a ballistic neck extension.The face mask includes an outer surface, a nose area, and a mouth arealocated below the nose area. The ballistic neck extension includes atleast one layer of ballistic material having a nose portion shaped togenerally correspond to the nose area of the face mask and a throatportion located below the nose portion shaped to generally correspond tothe mouth area of the face mask and extend below the mouth area. Theneck extension has an inner surface, at least a portion of which isattached to the outer surface of the face mask.

The invention can be implemented to realize one or more of the followingadvantages. The ballistic resistant face mask with neck extensionprovides coverage of the neck and throat of the user without limitingmobility or vision. The neck extension also provides protection for theface, particularly the nose and mouth areas of the user, because theneck extension is layered on top of the face mask. Because the ballisticresistant neck extension is attached to the outer surface of the facemask, it is spaced away from the user's throat and face. The space makesthe face mask more comfortable by allowing air to circulate around theneck. The space also provides more protection for the throat fromballistic threats by allowing more distance for the ballistic threat tobe slowed or stopped before contacting the user's throat. Further,because the ballistic resistant neck extension is attached at theprotruding nose area of the face mask, there is a space between themouth area and the ballistic resistant neck extension that allows easierbreathability. Also, because the ballistic resistant neck extension isattached to the face mask, it moves with the user's head, therebyproviding better mobility. The ballistic resistant face mask does notrestrict the user's vision because the ballistic resistant neckextension is attached to the ballistic resistant face mask below theeyes. Also, the ballistic resistant neck extension may help alleviatesome dust infiltration into the face mask in dusty or sandy areas.

Other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thefollowing description, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is front view of a ballistic resistant face mask.

FIG. 2 is back view of a ballistic resistant neck extension.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a ballistic resistant face mask with anattached ballistic resistant neck extension.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the ballistic resistant face mask with anattached ballistic resistant neck extension of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a user wearing a ballistic resistant face maskwith attached ballistic resistant neck extension.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a user wearing a ballistic resistant face maskwith attached ballistic resistant neck extension.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a user wearing a ballistic resistant face maskwith attached ballistic resistant neck extension.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a user wearing a ballistic resistant face maskwith attached ballistic resistant neck extension.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a face mask 10 includes integrated goggles 15 thathave a seal 20 around it periphery to secure around a user's eyes andprovide a soft contact area between the face mask 10 and a user's face.The face mask 10 includes a nose area 25 having nose holes 30 and amouth area 35 having mouth holes 40. The nose holes 30 and mouth holes40 facilitate breathing and talking through the face mask 10. The facemask 10 wraps around the user's face and is held in place by anadjustable strap 45 (FIG. 4). The adjustable strap 45 includes afastener 50 to enable the user to attach or remove the face mask 10. Thefastener 50 may be a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener,buttons, snaps or any other suitable fastener. The face mask 10 alsoincludes a first half of snaps 55.

The face mask 10 may be ballistic resistant or merely impact resistant.For example, the face mask 10 may be made of a high impact nylon pelletswhich are injection molded into the shape of the face mask 10, producingan impact resistant face mask. As explained below, ballistic protectionmay be provided by a ballistic resistant neck extension 60 (FIG. 2). Theintegrated goggles 15 may be made of a transparent, ballistic resistantmaterial, such as polycarbonate.

Referring to FIG. 2, the ballistic resistant neck extension 60 includesa nose portion 65 and a throat portion 70 below the nose portion 65. Aright neck portion 75 and left neck portion 76 extend from the noseportion 65 and throat portion 70 to a right distal end 77 and a leftdistal end 78. The ballistic neck extension 60 is shaped such that thenose portion 65 will not cover or interfere with the goggles 15 and thethroat portion 70 will extend below the face mask 10 when attached tothe face mask 10, as explained fully below.

The neck extension 60 includes an inner surface 80. and an outer surface85 (FIG. 3). A second half of snaps 87 are disposed on the inner surface80 of the neck extension 60 and are arranged in a manner that enablesthem to align with the first half of the snaps 55 when the neckextension 60 is attached to the face mask 10, explained fully below. Afirst half of a removable fastener 90 is affixed to the inner surface 80of the neck extension 60 adjacent to the right distal end 77. A secondhalf of a removable fastener 95 is affixed to the outer surface 85 ofthe neck extension 60 adjacent to the left distal end 78. The two halvesof the removable fastener 90 and 95 may be hook and loop, snaps, abuckle or any other suitable two piece fastener.

The neck extension 60 may be made of a soft armor. For example, toprovide protection from a Level 1 threat (as defined in the NationalInstitute for Justice Standard 0101.04 (“NIJ Standard”)), the neckextension 60 may be made of an aramid fabric having a denier of 840 dand an areal density of 52.5 oz/yd² (0.365 psf). The fabric may be madeto a thickness of 0.145 inches and then covered with a 500 denierCordura fabric for comfort. This configuration may provide protection ofV₅₀ at 0° of 1145 fps with an average deformation of 26.6 mm when struckwith a 0.380 (95 gr) ACP full metal jacketed round nose bullet.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in use, the neck extension 60 is attached tothe face mask 10 below the goggles 15. The nose portion 65 of the neckextension 60 is aligned with the nose area 25 of the face mask 10. Thesecond half of the snaps 87 on the inner surface 80 of the neckextension 60 are aligned with the first half of the snaps 55 on the facemask 10 and snapped together, attaching the neck extension 60 firmly tothe face mask 10. Because the nose area 25 of the face mask 10 protrudesfurther than the mouth area 35, a gap 100 results between the neckextension 60 and the mouth area 35 of the face mask 10. This gap 100provides air movement and allows for better breathability for the user.Further, because the neck extension 60 is shaped to not cover orinterfere with the goggles 15, the user's vision is not obscured. Also,the neck extension 60 will not move up towards the goggles 15 in usebecause the neck extension is attached to the face mask 10.

The right neck portion 75 and left neck portion 76 are wrapped aroundthe face mask 10. The user connects the two halves of the removablefasteners 90 and 95 to secure the neck extension 60 around the user'sneck.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5-7, a user 110 wearing the face mask 10 withthe neck extension 60 attached will have his neck 120 and throat 125protected from ballistic threats. The throat portion 70 of the neckextension 60 (FIG. 5) extends down onto the user's upper chest 115,thereby covering the user's neck 120, throat 125 and upper chest 115.However, because the neck extension 60 is attached to the face mask 10below the goggles 15, a line of sight is not blocked or otherwiseimpeded. Further, when the user 110 turns his head, the face mask 10 andneck extension 60 will turn with him, allowing better mobility. Also, ascan be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the throat section 170 is spaced away fromthe user's throat 125. This space provides more protection for the userbecause it provides a greater distance in which the soft armor can slowthe ballistic threat, thereby minimizing any trauma the back facesignature (as defined in the NIJ Standard) of the soft armor may cause.This space also enables better mobility because the throat portion 70does not directly contact the user 110.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the neck extension 60 also overlaps a largeportion of the face mask 10. This overlap provides additional protectionfor the user's face from ballistic threats. For example, if the facemask 10 is not ballistic resistant, the portion of the neck extension 60that overlaps the face mask 10 will provide some level of ballisticprotection. If the face mask 10 is made of ballistic resistant material,then the neck extension 60 would increase the ballistic protection ofthe face mask 10. Also, the gap 100, while providing betterbreathability, also provides a greater distance in which the soft armorcan slow the ballistic threat, thereby minimizing any trauma the backface signature (as defined in the NIJ Standard) of the soft armor maycause to the face mask 10 and ultimately the user's face. This allowsthe overall thickness of the face mask 10 itself to be thinner, whileproviding additional protection when needed.

The neck extension may be configured for varying degrees of protection.For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a neck extension 160 can be made longerin the front only, thereby providing protection for the user's throat125 from ballistic threats directly in front of the user. However, ifmore protection is desired, a neck extension 260 (FIG. 7) may be madewith a wider left neck portion 276 and right neck portion (not shown) toprotect the entire neck 120, including the sides and back of the neck.Further, because users are shaped differently (e.g., longer or shorternecks, thicker or thinner necks) the neck extension 60 may be custom fitto individual users, which provides better protection as well as abetter fit, thereby encouraging a user to wear the neck extension 60more often.

As shown in FIG. 8, the face mask 10 and neck extension 60 may also beworn with a helmet 130, which provides further head protection for theuser 110. The face mask 10 may be designed to integrally fit with aspecific helmet 130, or be made to work generally with any helmet.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended toillustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is definedby the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments are within thescope of the following claims. For example, while the neck extension hasbeen described as being made from an aramid fabric, it may be made ofany soft body armor, such as para-aramid (e.g., Kevlar), polypropylene,PBO, polyethylene or any other ballistic-resistant material orcombination thereof. Further, while the aramid fabric was described asbeing of a particular denier, areal density and thickness, ballisticresistant fabric having any denier, areal density or thickness may beused.

Further, several layers of ballistic resistant fabric may be combinedtogether to produce the neck extension 60, and the various layers may beof different ballistic resistant materials. Further still, the severallayers may include woven and non-woven fabrics. When several layers ofwoven and non-woven fabrics are used, the stack of layers may besubjected to a needling process to tie the layers together. In aneedling process, needles are driven perpendicularly through the layersand catch on the non-woven fibers. As the needles are withdrawn, theypull the non-woven fibers into and through the woven layers. Theneedling process entangles the non-woven fibers into the woven layerssubstantially perpendicular to the x-y plane, which mechanicallyconnects the various layers and helps prevent the individual yarns fromseparating during a ballistic impact. The needling processes alsoincreases the density of the ballistic material by engaging more fibersper unit volume.

Also, while the neck extension 60 has been described as extending beyondthe face mask 10 to cover the throat area and more of the user's neck,the neck extension 60 may be made to only cover the face mask 10. Forexample, the throat portion 70 may be sized to cover only the mouth area35 of a non-ballistic face mask 10 to provide ballistic protection tothe user's face. This enables users to convert a non-ballistic face mask10 into a face mask that provides ballistic protection.

Further, while the neck extension 60 has been described as soft,flexible armor, the armor may be stiffened with thermoplastic orthermoset polymers. For example, an aramid fabric may be treated with anacrylic resin to make the material stiffer to provide a rigid orsemi-rigid neck extension. A rigid or semi-rigid neck extension would beattached directly to the face mask 10 in the same way as described aboveand may provide greater protection and provide stiffness and shape tothe face mask 10 and neck extension 60.

Also, less than all the layers of the soft armor may be treated withresin to stiffen the armor. For example, the soft armor may includeseveral layers of aramid fabric, as described above, sandwiched around afelt core treated with a vinyl ester resin. Further, only specific areasof the neck extension 60 may be treated with resin to provide selectivestiffness in the neck extension 60. For example, the area of the neckextension 60 that overlaps the nose area 25 and mouth area 35 may bestiffened with resin to provide more protection for the face, while therest of the neck extension 60 may remain soft for greater comfort andmobility.

Further still, hard body armors may be combined with the soft body armorfor more protection. For example, a ceramic plate may be combined in thethroat portion 70 of the neck extension 60, thereby increasing theamount of protection from other threat levels.

Also, while the neck extension 60 was described as attaching to the facemask 10 with snaps, any removable fasteners may be used, such as hookand loop, buttons or any other removable fastener. Further still, theneck extension 60 may be permanently attached to the face mask 10, forexample by glue or epoxy.

1. A ballistic resistant garment comprising: a face mask shaped to coverat least a portion of a user's face including a face mask inner surfaceand a face mask outer surface, a nose area, a mouth area located belowthe nose area, and goggles located above the nose area; and a neckextension including at least one layer of ballistic material, theballistic material comprising a nose portion and a throat portionlocated below the nose portion, the nose portion shaped to generallycorrespond to the nose area of the face mask and the throat portionshaped to generally correspond to the mouth area of the face mask andextend below the face mask, a left neck portion and a right neck portioneach extending from the nose portion and throat portion and configuredto wrap around the user's neck when worn, an inner surface, and an outersurface, at least a portion of the inner surface of the neck extensionattached to the face mask outer surface.
 2. The ballistic resistantgarment of claim 1 wherein the ballistic material is selected from thegroup consisting of aramid, para-aramid, polypropylene, polyethylene,poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole), and polyester.
 3. The ballisticresistant garment of claim I further comprising a first half of afastener disposed on the face mask outer surface and a second half of afastener disposed on the inner surface of the neck extension and locatedto align with the first half of the fastener on the face mask, the firsthalf of the fastener and the second half of the fastener enabling theneck extension to attach to the face mask outer surface.
 4. Theballistic resistant garment of claim 3 wherein the first half of thefastener and the second half of the fastener are selected from the groupconsisting of a snap, a hook and loop fastener, a button, and tape. 5.The ballistic resistant garment of claim 1 further comprising a firsthalf of a removable connector disposed adjacent a distal end of the leftneck portion and a second half of a removable connector disposedadjacent a distal end of the right neck portion, the first half and thesecond half of the removable connector configured to enable the leftneck portion and right neck portion to be held around the user's neck.6. The ballistic resistant garment of claim 5 wherein the first half ofthe removable connector and the second half of the removable connectorare selected from the group consisting of a snap, a hook and loopfastener, a button and a two piece buckle.
 7. The ballistic resistantgarment of claim 1 wherein the inner surface and outer surface of theneck extension are a cover material disposed around the ballisticmaterial.
 8. The ballistic resistant garment of claim 7 wherein thecover material is selected from the group consisting of ballisticmaterial, non-ballistic material, fabric and resin.
 9. The ballisticgarment of claim 1 wherein the face mask is made of a ballisticresistant material.
 10. The ballistic garment of claim 1 wherein theface mask is configured to be worn with a helmet.
 11. The ballisticgarment of claim 1 wherein the face mask is configured to integrally fitwith a specific helmet.
 12. The ballistic garment of claim 1 wherein theballistic material comprises more than one layer of ballistic material.13. The ballistic resistant garment of claim 12 wherein the ballisticmaterial is selected from the group consisting of aramid, para-aramid,polypropylene, polyethylene, poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole),polyester or any combination thereof.
 14. The ballistic garment of claim1 wherein at least a portion of the ballistic material is treated with aresin.
 15. The ballistic garment of claim 12 wherein at least one layerof the ballistic material is treated with a resin.
 16. The ballisticgarment of claim 12 further comprising a layer of felt core materialtreated with a resin.
 17. The ballistic garment of claim 1 furthercomprising a hard armor element disposed on the ballistic resistant neckextension.
 18. The ballistic garment of claim 17 wherein the hard armorelement is selected from the group consisting of ceramic, titanium,boron carbide, silicon carbide, alumina, zirconia, magnesia, cubic boronnitride, silicon nitride, steel, and aluminum.
 19. A ballistic resistantgarment comprising: a face mask shaped to cover at least a portion ofuser's face, including a face mask inner surface and a face mask outersurface, the face mask inner surface being adjacent a user's face whenworn by the user, a nose area generally located adjacent the user's nosewhen worn by the user, a mouth area located below the nose area andgenerally located adjacent the user's mouth when worn by the user,goggles located above the nose area and generally located adjacent theuser's eyes when worn by the user, and a plurality of a first half of afastener disposed on the face mask outer surface; and a neck extensioncomprising: at least one layer of ballistic material, the ballisticmaterial including a nose portion and a throat portion located below thenose portion, the nose portion shaped to generally correspond to thenose area of the face mask and the throat portion shaped to generallycorrespond to the mouth area of the face mask and extend below the facemask, a left neck portion and a right neck portion each extending fromthe nose portion and throat portion; an outer cover disposed around theballistic material; a first half of a removable connector disposed onthe outer cover and adjacent a distal end of the left neck portion and asecond half of a removable connector disposed on the outer cover andadjacent a distal end of the right neck portion, the first half and thesecond half of the removable connector configured to enable the leftneck portion and right neck portion to be held around the user's neck;an inner surface; an outer surface; and a plurality of a second half ofa fastener, the plurality of the second half of the fastener disposed onthe inner surface and located to align with the plurality of the firsthalf of the fastener on the face mask and attach the neck extension tothe face mask outer surface.
 20. The ballistic resistant garment ofclaim 19 wherein the ballistic material is selected from the groupconsisting of aramid, para-aramid, polypropylene, polyethylene, poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole), and polyester.
 21. The ballisticresistant garment of claim 19 wherein the first half of the fastenersand the second half of the fasteners are selected from the groupconsisting of snaps, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, and tape.
 22. Theballistic garment of claim 19 wherein at least one layer of theballistic material is treated with a resin.
 23. The ballistic garment ofclaim 19 wherein the face mask is made of a ballistic resistantmaterial.
 24. A ballistic resistant garment comprising: a face maskshaped to cover at least a portion of a user's face including a facemask inner surface and a face mask outer surface, a nose area, a moutharea located below the nose area, and goggles located above the nosearea; and a ballistic neck extension including at least one layer ofballistic material, the ballistic material comprising a nose portion anda throat portion located below the nose portion, the nose portion shapedto generally correspond to the nose area of the face mask and the throatportion shaped to generally correspond to the mouth area of the facemask, a left neck portion and a right neck portion each extending fromthe nose portion and throat portion and configured to wrap around theuser's neck when worn, an inner surface, and an outer surface, at leasta portion of the inner surface of the ballistic neck extension attachedto the face mask outer surface.
 25. A ballistic resistant neck extensionfor a face mask comprising: at least one layer of ballistic material,the ballistic material comprising a nose portion and a throat portionlocated below the nose portion, the nose portion shaped to generallycorrespond to a nose area of the face mask and the throat portion shapedto generally correspond to a mouth area of the face mask, a left neckportion and a right neck portion each extending from the nose portionand throat portion and configured to wrap around a user's neck whenworn, an inner surface, and an outer surface, at least a portion of theinner surface of the ballistic resistant neck extension attached to theface mask.
 26. The ballistic resistant neck extension of claim 25wherein the inner surface and the outer surface of the ballistic neckextension are a cover material disposed around the ballistic material.27. The ballistic resistant neck extension of claim 25 the ballisticmaterial is selected from the group consisting of aramid, para-aramid,polypropylene, polyethylene, poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole),polyester or any combination thereof.
 28. The ballistic resistant neckextension of claim 25 further comprising a second half of a fastenerdisposed on the inner surface of the ballistic neck extension andlocated to align with a first half of a fastener on the face mask, thefirst half of the fastener and the second half of the fastener enablingthe ballistic neck extension to attach to an outer surface of the facemask.
 29. The ballistic resistant neck extension of claim 28 wherein thefirst half of the fastener and the second half of the fastener areselected from the group consisting of a snap, a hook and loop fastener,a button, and tape.
 30. The ballistic resistant neck extension of claim25 wherein the throat portion is shaped to extend below the mouth areaof the face mask.
 31. The ballistic resistant neck extension of claim 25wherein at least a portion of the ballistic material is treated with aresin.
 32. The ballistic resistant neck extension of claim 31 whereinthe resin is selected from the group consisting of acrylic, phenolic,vinyl ester, epoxy, and any other suitable thermoplastic or thermosetpolymer.
 33. A ballistic resistant neck extension for a face maskcomprising: at least one layer of ballistic material comprising a noseportion shaped to generally correspond to a nose area of the face maskand a throat portion located below the nose portion shaped to generallycorrespond to a mouth area of the face mask and extend below the moutharea of the face mask; and an inner surface, at least a portion of theinner surface attached to the face mask.
 34. A ballistic resistantgarment comprising: a face mask including a face mask outer surface, anose area, and a mouth area located below the nose area; and a ballisticneck extension including at least one layer of ballistic materialcomprising a nose portion shaped to generally correspond to the nosearea of the face mask and a throat portion located below the noseportion shaped to generally correspond to the mouth area of the facemask and extend below the mouth area, and an inner surface, at least aportion of the inner surface attached to the face mask outer surface.